Walking trainer for spastic children



April 8, 1952 J. J. BLOCK WALKING TRAINER FOR SPASTIC CHILDREN Filed Sept. 30, 1948 INVENTOR. JOSEPH J. BLOCK 0|" I V ATT'YS Patented Apr. 8, i952 a: 2; =7

WALKING TRAINER. FORSPASTIC r CHILDREN v Josep Lj-mock, Chicago, 111; j Application September 30, 1948, Serial No. 52,039 's'olaims." (c1. 1-5s1- 2z This invention relates to training devices for jacent their forward end by means of cross bars spastic children and particularly to walkers, for 3 and 4 the basebeing preferably made from teaching handicapped persons, such as spastic tubular stock and its parts being welded together children, to properly use and develop controlof for strength and rigidity. .Theside members I their leg, arm and body muscles in the process of 5 and 2 extend rearwardly behind the body, supwalking. port'for a sufiicient distance to obviate the pos- The main objects of this invention are to prosibility of the device tipping backwardly, and

vide an improved device for training handicapped liding means, th form of o l s 5 an 6. persons to walk; to-provide such'a device that are provided at the forward end "or the base;

a is particularly adaptable to teaching spastics to p bly on the ends of h a members! d exercise control of their body and leg'muscles Z. to facilitate movement of the device in the in walking; to provide such a device that is f01'Wa'rd'direction. j readily adjustable to persons of difierent sizes It will thus be seen that therearwardends and waking ability; t provide an improved of the .side members I and 2 will normally slide walker having a hand bar adjustable both for rdrag across'the floor as the. frame is moved height and vertical angular position to accomin the .forward direction; and since it iS desirmodate persons of different sizes and to suit able that there be no motion'ofthejbase in the varying conditions of strength and control of rearward direction, each si member is pmthe arm muscles; to provide a walker having an Yided i 1 Slide bar p dcn the bottom improved arrangement for body support and 0f the Side member and at the rearward end means t prevent th patients legs from 'm- 1 thereof, which slide bar terminates rearwardly ing crossed or twisted during the walking operai a square shoulder 8 t s substantially tion; to provide an improved walker arranged mal to, the surface overwhich the base is proto permit movement in the forward direction pelled. Thus,'the trailing, ends of the side memonlyiahd to provide such a device so constructed hers I and 2 will slide readily in the ar as to obviate the possibility of tipping over in direction and up y y' f heb et anydirection. I t move in the rearward'direction, the sharp bottom LA specific mb d m t of th i v t edge of thesquare shouldertatthe end of the shown in the accompanying drawings in whi h slide bar will serve as an'effectivebrake or stop Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved ,meansi l i a K i i l t 1 training device showing its form and 'arrange- The n e r 9715 supported m a P 0f t .fl v i l f tubular vertical members 10 which are pivotally Fig. 21s a side'e'l'evation of the same showing mour'i'td'onthe base side-members! ands, r an angular setting of the hand' bar. v y, so as to be ahgu y djustable in j Fig. '31s a front view of the same, and 1 t e h a d a ,directiori d a o e a vertical Fig; 4 is a top .plan view of the device showing T Wrfical members i an arrangement for entrance to the body sup m e 075 y 01055 means 1. l fad- '1; .iaoent' the upper ends of the verticalmer'nbers; In the form shown in the drawines; the imn by a second cross means I? located b proved walker comprises a rectangular I hori- 40 e t nai the'pivoted ends f the zontally disposed base having gliding me at tical members. -The hand'bar' 9 is mounted on its forward end, so that it may be readily pm- We h pe e d O h ipp t 13, which are teleence in the forward direction; and a vertically s opi s v fitte i tot e respective tubular meme disposed frame for supporting a transve ly bers l0 so as to constitute extensions thereof extending handlebar, which frame isfpivotally b ve th upper cross member II, and clamp mounted on the base and arranged for angular e n are-provided for secu rihg the pp adjustment in the'longitudinal or fore and aft l in the ed position of extension. .{rhe direction; A: boxlike' body support 'is'mo'unted clamp means It, each comprises ascrew threaded rearwardlyjof thehandle bar and a center board through the side wall 'of the respective'vertical ismounted on theiongitudinal center-line ofthe member D, so' as o engage the respec ive-spin base so as to extend rearwardly from the handle port 13, and having n "e g d h in t banana beneath the body support, the center fo r a hand l' o sy m p lat on." board being disposed in a vertical plane. As shown, the vertical members II], which pro- "Asshown, thebase comprises side members I vide aframe for suppe tingthe hand bar 9, are and}? which are rigidly connectedtogether ad- .55 secured infixedangular position relative to the base by adjustable means comprising telescoping members I5 and I6 which extend angularly downward from the upper portion of the respective vertical member I to the forward end of the respective base side member. The telescoping adjusting members I and I6, which are the brace means for hand bar frame, are also provided with clamp means I! which are similar, in form, to the claim means I 4.

In the form shown, the body support comprises an open ended vertically disposed boxlike structure I8, which is mounted directly above the center-line of the base and rearwardly of the hand bar 9. This body support is thus in the form of a chimney adapted to surround the upper portion of the patients body so as to support the patient during walking, the box-like form providing such support that it is practically impossible for the patient to fall out of the device due to failure of control of his leg operation.

Asshown, the body support IB is mounted on downwardly extending legs l9 which connect with respective side members I and 2 of the base, and by means of a forwardly extending member 20 which .extends to the lower cross member I2 of the handle bar frame. Preferably each of the legs or supports I9 and 20 for the body support [8, comprises a pair of telescoping members having suitable pivot connections with the body support or box I8, the base side members and the cross means I2, so that the vertical position of the body support I8 may be adjusted, suitable clamp means 2| being provided to hold the telescoping parts in their set position.

The center board 22 is disposed in a vertical plane along the longitudinal center-line of the base .and is positioned on the base so as to extend beneath and somewhat to the rear of the position of the body support I8. The height of the center board 22 immediately below the body support I8 is preferably such as to extend between the knees of the patient using the walker andthe forward end of the center board is out down soas to pass forwardly, beneath the hand bar frame cross means l2, to a point where it can be mounted on the base by means of suitable brackets 23' which connect with the base cross "bars 3 and 4. Thus, the center board 22 serves the function of obviating the possibility.

of thepatients legs becoming crossed as the patient is attempting to walk and propel th device'across the floor.

As indicated in Fig. 4, the body support I8 is preferably arranged so that the rearward portion of its side wall is in the form of a door 24, hingedly connected to the body at one side, as at 25, so that it can be swung outwardly and open to permit the patient to be more readily placed within the body support. A lock means 26 is provided on the side of the door opposite the hinges 25 so that the door may be held firmly closed after the patient has been placed within the body support.

In the operation of the walking device, the height of the body support 18 is preferably adjusted so as to surround the patients body between the waist and the shoulders; and the floor. The rollers at the forward end of the device permit a relatively easy movement in the forward direction and the square ended shoulders 8, of the slide bars I, prevent any inadvertent rearward movement of the device in case the patient should stumble. The center board 22 effectively keeps the patients legs moving in the proper direction during the walking operation; and the arrangement of the base, so that it projects both forwardly and rearwardly of the patients body obviates the possibility of the device being tipped over in case the patient should fall or in case the patients legs should collapse.

The main advantages of this invention reside in its complete adjustability so suit the patients -size-and need for support while learning to walk;

and in the arrangement whereby the movement of the patients legs is controlled to minimize stumbling or tripping. Other advantages are found in the more adequate support that is provided for the patients body, during walking and at rest, and in the arrangement whereby the device may be quickly and easily adjusted to suit the patient.

Further advantages are found in the arrangement of the device which provides for movementin the forward direction only and whereby the'possibilityv of the patient falling or tipping over, in any direction is obviated. And still further advantages reside in the simple, sturdy construction of the device which permits its manufacture at a relatively low cost.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention is herein shown and described it will be understood that numerous details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A device of the class described comprising a base having side members rigidly connected adjacent their forward ends and having laterally spaced gliding means at its forward end adapted for movement of said base in the forward direction, a pair of vertical members pivotally mounted one on each side of said base for fore and aft angular movement in a vertical plane, cross means rigidly connectingsaid vertical members adjacent their'upper ends, a, hand bar extending between the longitudinal axes of said vertical members above said cross means and having a support at each end telescopingly fitting a respective one of said vertical members, releasable clamp means for locking each support in rigid'relation with its respective vertical member, and adjustable means extending between said vertical members and said base and adapted to hold said vertical members rigidly in variable angular relation with respect to said base.

2. A device of the classdescribed comprising a base having a pairjof side members connected adjacent their forward ends by longitudinally spacedcross bars; each of 'saidside members having roller means at its forward end adapted for movement of said base in the forward direction, a vertical member'pivotally mounted on each of said side members forangular movement longi tudinally in av vertical plane, cross means rigidly connecting said vertical members adjacent their upper ends, a telescopingly adjustable extension on each of said vertical members projecting above said cross means ahandbar extendingfbetween saidextensions and connectedfthereto, releasable clamping means for locking each extension in rigid relation with its respective vertical member, andtelescopingly adjustable brace means extending between said vertical members and said base and having its ends pivotally connected thereto, said brace means being adapted to hold said vertical members rigidly in a predetermined angular position with respect to said base. 3. A device of the class described comprising a base having side'members rigidly connected adjacent their forward ends and having laterally spaced roller means at its forward end adapted for movement of said base in the forward direction, a pair of vertical members pivotally mounted one on each side of said base for fore and aft angular movement in a vertical plane, cross means rigidly connecting said vertical members adjacent their upper ends, a horizontal hand bar above said cross means:v and having a support at each end telescopingly fitting a respective oneof said vertical members, 'releasable clamp means for locking each'jsupport in rigid relation with its respective vertical member, adjustable means extending between said vertical members and said base and adapted to hold said vertical members rigidly in variable angular relation with respect to said base, and a slide bar mounted on the bottom surface of each side member of said base at the rearward end thereof, each slide bar terminating rearwardly in a square shoulder substantially normal to the surface on which it slides. 4. A device of the class described comprising a base having a pair of side members connected adjacent their forward ends by longitudinally spaced cross bars, each of said side member having roller means at its forward end adapted for movement of said base in a forward direction, a vertical member pivotally mounted on each of said side members rearwardly of the forward end thereof for longitudinal angular movement in a vertical plane, cross means rigidly connecting said vertical members adjacent their upper ends, a

' horizontal hand bar above said cross means and having a supportat each end telescopingly fitting a respective one of said vertical members, releasable means for adjustably clamping each of said supports in rigid relation with its respective vertical member, and a telescopingly adjustable brace member extending angularly downward between each of said vertical members and the forward portion of said base, said adjustable brace members being adapted to hold said vertical memtending rearwardly from the plane of said verticalmembers. a

6. A device of the class described comprising a base having side members rigidly connected adjacent their forward ends and having laterally spaced gliding means at its forward endpadapted' formovement of said base in the forward-direction, a pair of vertical members pivotally mounted one on each side of said base for fore and aft angular movement in a vertical plane, cross means rigidly connecting said vertical members adjacent their upper ends. a horizontal hand bar above said cross means and having a support at each end telescopingly fitting a respective one of said vertical members, releasable clamp means for locking each support in rigid relation with its respective vertical member, adjustable means extending between said vertical members and said base and adapted to hold said vertical members rigidly in variable angular relation with respect to said base, a vertically disposed tubular body support located rearwardly v of said hand bar and above the longitudinal cenbers rigidly-in a predetermined angular relation 7 with respectto said base.

. connecting said vertical members, a horizontal hand bar above said cross means and having a support at each end telescopingly fitting a respective one of said vertical members, clamp means for holding each support in rigid relation with its respective vertical member, adjustable means extending between said vertical members and said base and adapted to hold said vertical members rigidly in'a predetermined angular relation with respect to said base, and a longitudinally extending vertically disposed dividing member mounted centrally onthe cross bars of said base and exter line of said base, said body support being open at its top and bottom ends and adapted to surround the body of a person disposed therein, and means to hold said body support rigidly above said base.

7. A device of the class described comprising a base having side members rigidly connected adjacent their forward ends and having laterally spaced gliding means at its forward end adapted for movement of said base in the forward direction, a pair of vertical members pivotally mounted oneon each side of said base for fore and aft angular movement in a vertical plane, cross means rigidly connecting said vertical members adjacent their upper ends, a horizontal hand bar above said cross means and having a support at each end telescopingly fitting a respective' one of said vertical members, releasable clamp means for locking each support in rigid relation with its respective vertical member, adjustable means extending between said vertical members and said base and adapted to hold said vertical members rigidly in variable angular relation with respect to said'base, a vertically disposed open ended box-like body support located rearwardly of said hand bar and above the longitudinal center line of said base, a portion of the sidewall of said body support being hingedly jconnected thereto and swingable as a door, means to lock said portion in closed posi-- tion, and vertically adjustable leg means extending between body support and said base and adapted to ,hold said body support rigidly above said base.

8. A device of the class described comprising a base having side member rigidly connected adjacent their forward ends and extending rearwardly in parallel relation, laterally spaced roller means at the forward end of said base arranged for movement thereof in the forward direction, a slide bar disposed on the bottom of each of said side members at the rearward end thereof, each slide bar terminating in a square shoulder substantially normal to the plane of said base, a hand bar frame pivotally mounted on said base and extending upwardly therefrom, said frame being spaced rearwardly of the forward end of said base and arranged for longitudinal angular movement relative to said base, adjustable means extending between said hand 'bar frame and said base arranged to hold said frame rigidly in angular relation to said base,

a hand bar mounted :on said frame and arranged REFERENCES (1111111) to be adjusted vertically thereon, aboxdike'body The following references are of record the support located Tearwardly of said hand bar file T patent: and :above the longitudinal center tline of :said

base, said body support being'open at :its top 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS and bottom ends; vertically adjustable :leg means Number v Name Date extending upwardly fromsaid base and arranged 2,278,901 Smock Apr. '7, 1942 to hold said body support rigidly aboveisaid base. 2.339907 Gahm Jan. .11, 1944 and a verticallydispdsed icemaer board mounted onsaid base andextending along :the longitudinal .1 center linetthereoi below said body support.

' JOSEPH J. BLOCK. 

